One revolution high-speed cylinder printing press



y 4, 1953 A. BUTTNER 2,645,175

ONE REVOLUTION HIGH-SPEED CYLINDER PRINTING PRESS Filed March 22, 1950 Patented July 14, 1953 PRINTING-'PRE SS ONE REVOLUTION HIGH- SPEED CYLINDER Artur Buttner, Heidelberg, Germany, assignor to w Schnellpres's'enfabrik A.-G.'lieidelbergyfieidelg, manm' rp ati n o Ge many n iieeuonmmh 22, 1950, Serial No. 151.212 ,GreatBritain January 9, 1950 For two-color printing in one operation on one-revolution high speed cylinder presses, it is known to provide the printing-cylinderwith two printing or make-ready surfaces, each printing surface being associated with "a special printing mechanism, namely a flat'forme printingmechanism and a round forme print mechanism. "A transfer cylinder associated with the Printing cylinder and situated between thetwo printing mechanisms effects the transferof the sheet to be printed after the flIISt printingoperation to the printing surface associated with thejsecond printing mechanism. J

In machines of this; kind, the sheet {ceding device is arranged above theroundformeprinting mechanism, so that the latter .;is accessible only with difficulty. This arrangement also means that the feed device is in frontof the flat formeprinting mechani sm. Consequently, in these machines, the round forme printing mechanism can function only as econd printing mechanism, whereby the jcourseof theworkin 'g operations on this machine is'fixed in a definite and positive manner. p 7 I The invention relates to a new construction of thes one-revolution high-speed cylinder presses for two-color printing in one operation, whereby the possibility is, provided of allowing the two printing mechanisms to operate in any desired sequence, of working with only oneof the two printing mechanisms or of using the hat forme printing mechanism as embossing 'or stamping mechanism while printing with the" round forme printing mechanism.

According to the inventi'on,-in a one-revolution high-speed cylinder printingpress of the -afore said type, the feed device is arranged in front-of the round forme printing mechanism. This construction, in the first place, providesfree accessibility of the round-forme printing mechanis 'n which is no longer covered by the feed device. The supervisionof the machine, :atten'danceof the inking mechanism for the round forme printing mechanism and'inparticular convenient 6-'Claims, (01401 173) be stopped, so that the machin then'operates-as a sheet printing' rotarymachine. ,Ifi'the transfer c'ylinderiis arrangedin .frontof the flat forme printing lmechanismthen, in the case of twocolor printing, the round forme printingmeohanism may operate 'firstand then the flat forme printing mechanism, in which case the latter may be 'constructedas a stampin embossing or perforating ,mechanism. In this construction also, .the round formeprinting mechanism may be, used alone with delivery of the sheet immediately afterp inting.

Through the association otthe various working members with the printing cylinder, inparticular, however, the arrangement ofthe feed device in front of-thelroundforme printing mechanism, a single-purpose machine with restricted course of, working operations i-becomes a multi-purpose machine, in which the course of the working operations maybe adjusted in a manner most suited to :the occasion. If desired, the round forme, printingmechanism may be followed by another -roundforme printing mechanism'for a third color, operating on the same-printing surface-as theotherprinting mechanism. For the printer, this affords the-possibility of printing off the round formeprintingmechanism, at the first and to show how the same maybe'carried into efiect, reference will now-be made to the accompanying'drawings, in which:

Figure '1 shows-in diagrammatic cross-section a construction witha roundforme and fiat forme printing rmec'hanism' and Figure 2 shows, likewise, in diagrammatic cross-section, ea construction with two. round forme printing mechanismseand one fiat forme printing mechanism.

. The ,printing. cylinder .l ,.rotating in the direction of the arrow A and pertorming a printing operation on each revolution, has two printing surfaces -2, 3, each with itsgripper system 4, 5,

which are opened and-closed inknown manner by meansnotshown, and which seize the sheets for printing by their -front edges. Clamping spindles 6, l are associated on the printing cylinder with each printingsurface fortightening the dressing (packing), which also contains the necessary makerea'dy, over the printing surfaces 2, 3. 1

Under the printing cylinder i, a forme bed ii is movable tangentially to the printing cylinder by means of roller guides I on a track II on the machine under-frame. The bed 9 carries the flat forme 3 which co-operates with the printing surface 2 when the bed 9 runs in the direction of the arrow B. Associated with the flat forme 3 is an inking mechanism I2.

Above the printing cylinder I, a round forme cylinder I3 with inking mechanism I4 is mounted in the machine frame and rotates continuously, being controlled by known means, not shown, in such a manner that, on passing the printing surface 3 of the printing cylinder, it is lowered upon the latter and hence prints on said printing surface. The diameter of the round forme cylinder I3 is about one half or one third of the diameter of the printing cylinder I.

Feeding of the sheets to be printed to the printing cylinder I is effected by means of a feed table I8 with feed mark I9, said table being arranged in front of the round forme cylinder I3 in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder I. At said mark IS, the straightened sheet is seized by the fore-gripper I6 mounted on a swinging lever I5, and through the swinging of the lever I about the spindle II, it is delivered to the grippers 4 or 5 of the printing cylinder I. The drive of the swinging lever I5 is reversible in such a manner that it delivers the sheets to the grippers 4 or 5 according to choice, and the control of the lifting mechanism for the round forme cylinder I3 is also adjustable, so that the latter may cooperate, according to choice, with the printing surface 2 or the printing surface 3.

Below the feed table or board I8, a transfer cylinder 22 is mounted on a shaft 2|, its diameter amounting to half the diameter of the printing cylinder I. The transfer cylinder 22 is provided with grippers and is covered by a guard 23. The drive of the transfer cylinder 22 is so adjusted that its grippers 20 seize the sheet carried on the printing surface 2 by the grippers 4 of the printing cylinder I, take it with them for one revolution and then deliver it to the grippers 5 associated with the printing surface 3. Each time they pass the feed table I8, the grippers 4 are therefore able to take the sheet from the foregrippers I6.

Following the round forme cylinder I3 in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder I is a gripper system 24 carried by endless chains 25. The chains 25 pass over sprocket wheels 26 carried on spindles 21. Here again the drive is reversible in such a manner that the grippers 24 can take the printed sheets from the grippers 4 or 5 of the printing cylinder I according to choice. The grippers 24 then convey the printed sheets with the printed side uppermost to the delivery stack.

With the arrangement described in the foregoing, it is possible to carry out the following printing work, always in one operation:

1. Two-color printing, flat forme as first color, round forme as second color In this operation, the various working members of the machine are adjusted so that the fore-grippers I6 deliver the sheet to be printed to the grippers 4, the transfer grippers 20 take the sheet from the grippers 4 and deliver it to the grippers 5 of printing surface 3, from which it is then removed by the chain grippers 24. The round forme cylinder I3 is lowered on to the printing surface 3 while the latter is moving past it.

The sheet to be printed is thus carried by the grippers 4 on the printing surface 2 and is provided with a color impression upon the surface 2 rolling off on the fiat forme printing mechanism 8. After this printing operation, the transfer grippers 20 take the sheet off and transfer it to the grippers 5 of the printing surface 3. On this printing surface 3 it now runs under the round forme cylinder l3 which is lowered for printing the second color and is then taken off by the grippers 24. The impression of each printing forme is thus effected on separate printing surfaces, as is required in multi-color autotype printing, where the colors are one above the other for quality printing. Each forms can be made ready on the associated printing surface in known manner familiar to any book printer, using normal blocks for the round and flat formes.

2. One-color printing by the flat forme The adjustment of the working members remains the same as for Example 1, but the drive of the round forme cylinder I3 is disconnected, so that the latter remains in the position lifted off the printing cylinder I.

3. One-color printing by the round forme In this method of printing, the adjustment of the working members may be retained as de scribed for Example 1. The flat forme bed 8, however, remains empty or is disconnected.

Preferably, however, the drive of the round forme cylinder I3 is reversed in such a manner that it is lowered on passing the printing surface 2 and prints, the grippers 4 by reversal of the control'dogs being then opened already on passing the take-off device, so that, therefore, the sheet to be printed remains on the printing cylinder only during the path of the grippers 4 from the feed table to the take-off device.

It is, however, also possible to allow the round forme cylinder I3 to cooperate with the printing surface 3, in which case the fore-grippers l6 are so controlled that they deliver the sheet to be printed to the grippers 5 of the printing surface 3.

4. Two-color printing, round forme as first color and fiat forme as second color The adjustment of the machine is such that the sheet is fed to the grippers 4 of the printing surface 2 and the round forme cylinder I3 works on the printing surface 2, on which the flat forme 8 is then printed off. The double printed sheet is then taken from the surface 2 by the transfer grippers 20 and delivered to the surface 3. On the passage of said surface 3 under the round forme cylinder I3, the latter remains in the raised position. Thus, both colors are printed off on printing surface 2 as may be advantageously used for display work, in which the colors lie side by side. In this case, the printing surface 3 is not used for printing but only for carrying the sheet out.

In the construction according to Figure 2, the transfer cylinder 22 is situated in front of the flat forme printing mechanism 8, 9 in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder I, while the inking mechanism I 2 for this printing forme lies below the feed device I8. A second round forme cylinder 28 with inking mechanism 23 is arranged after the round forme cylinder I3.

The following printing work can be done with this construction.

answers ..1..=Printiny1.inaone coloring one roundiiorme The fed and straightened sheet is. deliveredby the "foreegrippers T6 to the j gripper system "5 of printingsurface 3. "The round. forme cylinder 1'3 is lowered intothe printing position andjprints off when the sheet jpasses .thereun"'der. j The round'forme printing mechanism 28,;on" the contrary, is'in.the raised position and does'not com'e .into contact with .the sheet. The "one color printed sheet is immediately taken "ofiiby the gripper system 24 and conveyedito' the "distribu- "tion stack. The flat forme bed'f8,"howeVerfremains empty or is disconnected. I

2. Printing in .two colors-:by ,two round jormes :She'et lay and transfer is' again' effected by gripper system "5; and on passing'the'roundform'es *l3 and 28, both formes printoff "successively. Removal of'thesheet is then effected immediately agaimby distributor grippers 2 4. The flat forme bed 8, however, remains empty or is disconnected.

'3. Printing one color by the flat forme 8 4. Three-color printing in which the round jormes print first Printing of the two round formes l3 and 28 against the printing surface 3, then sheet transfer to the gripper system 4 of the printing surface 2 and printing off thereof on the flat forme 8 as third color. The sheet is then carried out by the grippers 24.

5. Three-color printing in which the flat forme prints first The unprinted sheets are, as before, transferred to the gripper. system 5. On the first passage, however, the round forme cylinders l3 and 28 are in the raised position and do not print the sheet. As described before, the sheet -'is transferred by the gripper i system to the gripper system 4 of the printing cylinder I. As the sheet lies on the printing surface 2, the flat forme 8 prints the first color off on the sheet. The round forme cylinders l3 and 28 then print off against this same printing surface, having now been lowered into the printing position. Thus, in this case, all three colors are printed off successively on the one printing surface 2. This possibility of printing ofiers considerable advantages in the printing of display work with colors situated side by side. The sheet is then removed by grippers 24 without the surface printed in three colors coming into contact with any part of the machine.

6. Stamping without printing Instead of the dressing, the printing surface 2 is covered with a steel sheet of the thickness of the dressing or packing, and the flat printing forme 8 is replaced by a stamping forme. The

iti'takes ipla'ce'i tolthezgrip- 5. iTheisheet :passes ithetrroun'diforme :cyhnders :43 sand .z2zazwithout :printing. :Grippers 520 then =3carry, the :sheetround to ;the gripper 1 4.: and stamping -groovingaor; perforating work is 'ei'fected-ontherprinting surface. 2, .over which .is clamped savsteelisheet, by the stamping, agrooving .orrperfonating itools carried by the .flat forme :9. These are enclosed 'in frames in known manner. The stamped sheet is thenwcarried-round'furtheruntil it is removed and carried soutzbyggrippers fl. 'The transfer cylinder 20, 21 and His-therefore arranged in front of. the fiat gfornae -8, so that transfer takes place, before stamping, in .order to "prevent breaking ofigof the stamped material. I

7. One-'or two polar printing by the i round a="formeanit *stamping, "grooving-perforating or embossing in one *working operation. -The sheet isagain transferred to the. gripper systemai. .LRrinting off takes placeby the round forme J3. as -first -color, followed. in -the case of twoecolor .printing .by the round forme 28 as second color, against printing surface .3. The printed-sheet is then transferred-by the gripper system 20 -to.-.g-ripper system -4. The sheet now lies-onprinting. surface 12, over whichis clamped .aesteei. sheet. .Stamping, grooving, iperforating .and/orembossing then takes place. .'Ihe printed .an'd,lfor.examp1e, stampedsheet iscarriedround lfurther...by .printing-Qcylinder l until it is taken off .bypg rippersfland conveyed to .the distribution stack, 'The .roundforme cylinders are raised when the printing surface 2 with the printed and stamped sheet passes them.

It is known in high-speed cylinder presses to raise the printing cylinder and-to lower it during the printing operation. These known devices have not been shown for the sake of clarity. Likewise, the known means for opening and closing the various gripper systems have not been shown.

The stopping of the round forme cylinders is effected by drawing an index bolt in the driving wheel. Variation of the times of raising and lowering the round forme cylinders is likewise effected in known manner by shifting through 180 the driving eccentric for rotation of the printing cylinder I.

With a construction of the machines according to the present invention, the printer is provided for the first time with the possibility either of pritning off each color on a separate printing surface, as is required absolutely in multi-color autotype printing for special quality work, since each color can be made ready independently, or for carrying out display work with colors side by side, the printing ofi by round forme and fiat forme may take place in common on the printing surface for the flat forme. This latter possibility offers the printer further advantages in corresponding printing work in a more rapid makeready of the machine, because in this case, it is only necessary to make ready on one printing surface of the cylinder 1, or if he is working only from the round forme or formes, he can use the machine for sheet rotary printing by disconnecting the flat forme bed movement.

I claim:

1. A one revolution high-speed cylinder press including, an annular printing cylinder, a fiat form printing mechanism, around form printing mechanism, a separate printing surface on the printing cylinder for each of said printing round forme cylind rs r pp Tr f r mechanisms, a transfer cylinder for transferring 7 the sheet to be printed upon during one revolution of the printing cylinder from one of its printing surfaces to the other printing surface, a sheet feeding device, and a sheet removing device, the round form printing mechanism being situated between the sheet feeding device and the sheet removing device and the round form printing mechanism being adjustable for printing on-the printing surface of the flat form printing mechanism.

2. High-speed press according to claim- 1, wherein the sheet feeding device is situated between the transfer cylinder and the round form printing mechanism which is disposed behind the said transfer cylinder in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder.

3. High-speed press according to claim 1, wherein a second round form printing mechanism is arranged behind the first round form printing mechanism in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder both round form printing mechanisms being situated between the sheet feeding device and the sheet removing device.

4. High-speed press according to claim 1,

wherein the transfer cylinder is arranged in front of the flat form printing mechanism in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder.

5. A one revolution high-speed cylinder press,

including, in combination, an annular printing cylinder having opposite arcuate peripheral' printing surfaces, sheet gripping means at the leading edge of each of said printing surfaces, a flat form beneath the cylinder and movable tangentially relative thereto, a round form mounted above .the printing cylinder to be moved into and out of contact therewith, sheet feeding means arranged between the flat form bed and the round form cylinder to feed sheets in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder, 2. sheet transfer cylinder having its axis mounted below the axis of the printing cylinder and rotatable in a direction opposite to that of the cylinder, means for inking the flat form and the round form, and sheet discharge means located above the axis of the printing cylinder and on the side thereof opposite the sheet feeding means, the round form being situated between the sheet feeding means and sheet discharge means.

6. The combination according to claim 5, wherein two round form cylinders both situated between the sheet feeding means and sheet discharge means are provided at the upper side of the printing cylinder, and the sheet transfer cylinder is" mounted beneath the sheet discharge means. 

